Abstract

In the author's opinion the current resurgence of national issues could be interpreted as an attempt of Second World countries to counter the effects of oncoming late capitalism. Under such conditions national culture is often perceived as a bastion of national identity. The insurmountable problem encountered by these national cultures attempting to play such a role, is that under the present conditions of global late capitalism national culture as well, if it wishes to achieve recognition, is forced to accept the logic of postmodern culture which is simultaneously commodified and international. Hence national culture in the Second World countries, which in the past could integrate everything from avant-garde to folk art, is bound to increasingly resemble tradition culture in First World countries.